The chairman of the USCCB’s subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage has reacted to the Gov. Cuomo’s and the NY state legislature’s promotion of the legalization of contrary-to-nature unions.

Marriage redefinition bill an “abandonment of the common good,” says Bishop Cordileone

Bill passed 33-29, four days after normal end of legislative session
Religious exemption language released hours before final vote

WASHINGTON—In response to last Friday’s enactment of a law redefining marriage in the State of New York, Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, expressed “grave disappointment with the legislature’s abandonment of the common good.”
“Marriage, the union of a man and a woman, forms the foundation of social well-being by promoting love and respect between the two most fundamental representatives of the human community,” he said. [Distortion of marriage must result in the distortion of other societal bonds.] “The institution of marriage also affirms the vital and unique importance to children of receiving care from both their mother and father together. Making marriage law indifferent to the absence of either sex creates an institutional and cultural crisis with generational ramifications yet to be seen. [In Humanae vitae Paul VI and the Catholic Church were right about the consequences of contraception. The Church is also right about this issue. When you are right, you can’t be wrong.] To eliminate marriage’s very essence – its essence as the union of husband and wife – from its legal definition is to ignore not only basic anthropology and biology but also the purpose of law generally. Law is meant to uphold the common good, not undermine it. Now, New York’s government will be forced to ignore that children have a basic right to be raised by their mother and father together. Also, as demonstrated in other states where marriage redefinition has occurred, officials there will be in a position to retaliate against those who continue to uphold these basic truths. This is a mark of a profoundly unjust law.”
The bill, entitled the Marriage Equality Act, was passed by a margin of 33 to 29 votes in the state senate and signed into law on June 24, four days after the legislative session was supposed to have ended. [Signed by a “catholic” governor. For this and for other reasons, Gov. Cuomo should not attempt to receive Holy Communion or be allowd to receive Communion by ministers until he publicly repents and makes amends.] It dictates that “a marriage that is otherwise valid shall be valid regardless of whether the parties to the marriage are of the same or different sex.” The bill also directs that all other laws dealing with marriage or gender-specific subjects be reinterpreted to include two persons of the same sex who have obtained a marriage license. While the legislature included exemption language to give some protection to religious organizations—language made public only in the last hours before the vote—its actual legal effect will have to be scrutinized. [How long will it be until someone challenges that language and challenges the Catholic Church on this issue?] Nonetheless, Bishop Cordileone noted, “Marriage is a fundamental good that must be protected in every circumstance. Exemptions of any kind never justify redefining marriage.”
Thousands of people at the grassroots level contacted key legislators in New York, urging them to oppose redefining marriage. “Those courageous legislators and active citizens in New York who defended marriage should be applauded for their inspiring witness,” Bishop Cordileone said. His comments follow recent statements by the Bishops of New York (available here and here.

To eliminate marriage’s very essence – its essence as the union of husband and wife – from its legal definition is to ignore not only basic anthropology and biology but also the purpose of law generally. Law is meant to uphold the common good, not undermine it. Now, New York’s government will be forced to ignore that children have a basic right to be raised by their mother and father together. Also, as demonstrated in other states where marriage redefinition has occurred, officials there will be in a position to retaliate against those who continue to uphold these basic truths. This is a mark of a profoundly unjust law.

Very effective language. Especially in view of the fact that this whole thing is being pushed through in the name of “being fair” to everyone.

How about “Grave Condemnation” instead of “disappointment”??? Good grief. Even Christ got angry at the appropriate time.

Will our bishops ever STAND UP AND FIGHT for the FAITH? Language is important and putting out some vapid statement about being disappointed only ticks off the truly faithful, gives no direction to the lukewarm, and emboldens the apostates. No wonder the Church’s numbers are bleeding to death.

The Bishops’ moving their eclessiastical recliners from “fully back” to “upright” position is not the same as getting up out of one’s seat to fight for what’s right….

Good statement. I am glad the bishop mentioned anthropology & biology eg, in anthropology marriage was always presented as a means of alliances as well as kinship, and reproduction, continuing a society, etc.. We can’t win arguments just on our religious beliefs since we’re in a pluralist society. Of course anthropology, that marriage was always hetero for alliances/kinship, proves the Catholic natural law theory (even w/some peoples practicing polygamy). No society had to be told by the Judeo-Christian God what marriage was for. It is inscribed in every human heart, in the remotest corners of the earth. No society held up gay unions are comparable in any way. They are not the same, thus cannot be appropriately treated the same.

I am surprised that the libertarians didn’t recognize that gays had greater freedom with no state recognition of their unions. Now they’ll be subject to state regulation as are marriages of a man and woman.

Gay marriage is a Trojan horse for the truly satanic ‘gender-benders’ and bona fide lunatic ‘professors of Queer Studies’ who seek to ‘deconstruct’ gender (and the essential nature of humanity itself) and embrace the absolute relativism of the insane asylum. I used to live in NYC and notice that the mass media carefully screens the public from the most shocking degradations of the ‘Gay Pride’ parades [Extreme S&M, Self-Mutilation, frontal nudity, public sex acts and of course the ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’ transvestite God-haters.

By the way in the nightmare years of the gay AIDS epidemic in the 70’s and 80’s, years of hopelessness and no real treatments, it was the Catholic sisters and Catholic relief organizations who were #1 in caring for indigent AIDS patients in NYC.

So now what? What has changed. In spanish there is a saying that says “Las palabras se las lleva el viento” Words are taken away by the wind. The bishops just keep making themselves and the church more and more irrelevant.

This is, like the “law” that grants “the right” to an abortion, so-called “justice” and “equality” granted at the price of inflicting grave injustice and inequality upon our entire culture and all of humankind. It is precisely as the Bishop writes: “This is a mark of a profoundly unjust law.”

While we are naturally greatly angered at this grave injustice, perhaps couching our reactions in tempered language such as that used by the Bishop is best– because we are speaking to a world that does not understand and share our anger, and would in turn only try to use it against us.

Jesus did not overcome the world by overturning the moneychangers’ tables. Pray, live a holy life, and offer sacrifices– and trust in the Lord (cf Ps 4). This is the greatest witness and sure path to conversions of heart. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4).

“Also, as demonstrated in other states where marriage redefinition has occurred, officials there will be in a position to retaliate against those who continue to uphold these basic truths. ”

I’m a bit confused by the sentence structure. I think the bishop refers to the New York legislature when he says “officials there”? Perhaps some sort of exemplification of the retaliation he fears can cited, too?

Lucky you, Jason, if you can do that. In the UK it breaches the “human rights” of gays if the doors are shut – so Catholic Adoption Agencies either have to hand the kids over (only the cute ones of course) or shutdown.

I find it more than disturbing that there was no mention of the fact that to condone engaging in homosexual sexual acts, or any sexual act that demeans the inherent dignity of the human person, is to deny the inherent, unalienable Right of every person to be treated with dignity and respect.

[In Humanae vitae Paul VI and the Catholic Church were right about the consequences of contraception. The Church is also right about this issue. When you are right, you can’t be wrong.]

I’ll take issue with the last sentence. Many centuries ago the Church said, explicitly by participation in and implicitly by failing to condemn, that it was right to burn witches, heretics and Jews. I guess, if the Church was right then, we need to barbeque anyone today who thinks and advocates that marriage should be redefined.. I say, “light the pyres!” Father Z, I will gladly provide you with the match.

Search Fr. Z’s Blog

Search for:

SHOPPING ONLINE? Please, always come here first!

Enter Amazon through my link. Click the image below (they took away our search box!). Fr Z will get a small percentage of what you spend. (Pssst - Can't see it? Turn off your "ad-blocker" for this site!)

“This blog is like a fusion of the Baroque ‘salon’ with its well-tuned harpsichord around which polite society gathered for entertainment and edification and, on the other hand, a Wild West “saloon” with its out-of-tune piano and swinging doors, where everyone has a gun and something to say. Nevertheless, we try to point our discussions back to what it is to be Catholic in this increasingly difficult age, to love God, and how to get to heaven.” – Fr. Z

YOUR RECENT COMMENTS

billy15: This news really, really saddens me. Especially because I was JUST there on Wednesday afternoon with my family. It wasn’ ;t the first time I was at the parish though. In fact, the...

acardnal: Video from GloriaTV wherein Henry Sire speaks about his previous book “Pho enix from the Ashes̶ 1; at the Roman Forum. HERE

cengime: Now some people will stop reminding us that they have shady connection s in Italy and won’ t share their secret inside informatio n on the book’ ;s authorship no matter how much...

JustaSinner: Break the law, boo hoo, Cali does it all the time; sanctuary state anyone? I’m ready to enlist for a civil war in CA; love to break me some Cali stuff!

mindpopcornball: If this doesn̵ 7;t get a QUICK, FAIR AND THOROUGH investigat ion, adopt a tactic of the left and start picketing the Cardinal 8217;s home and speaking venues because...

The Masked Chicken: This brings to mind so many thoughts :) 1. Is confession by telepathy valid? 2. Confessing across a prison glass reminds me, for some reason, of the Monty Python skit, “...

tamranthor: I would be willing to compromise with the state of California , were they to likewise post, in huge typeface, at every office of every doctor and abortionis t in the state, that abort...

NBW: The hypocrisy runs deep with Cupich; he invites a pro-homose xual priest to speak at Holy Name and urges us to read Fr. MartinR 17;s book and not to judge̷ 0;.Then he swiftly removes a...

bobbird: PLEASE NOTE: Thomas Woods would be an excellent consultant regarding the dangers of making a federal case out of these issues. The First Amendment, correctly applied and understood within...

Geoffrey: Wow! I recently purchased “The Knights of Malta: A Modern Resurrecti on” by H.J.A. Sire. Excellent book. Now the “ins ider” ; details outlined in the Order of...

jaykay: I got the Kindle version of “Pho enix from the Ashes̶ 1; last year, via a quote and reference in Prof. Kwasniewsk i’s latest book which I was reading at the time. I was...

JesusFreak84: I honestly presumed the author was a member of the clergy, partially because that would have explained perfectly why the author would use (indeed, need,) a pen name to begin with. I...

JesusFreak84: The Shrine of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, recently had to relocate its Masses to the social hall, so the only statue in the newly-dubb ed St. Joseph Crypt Chapel is the huge...

JesusFreak84: I’ve been to events at St. John Cantius on and off, and I’ve heard Father say some things that I think are nutty, (“Po kemon opens your kids to demonic possess...

tzabiega: In regards to the question why Father Phillips was part of the Resurrecti onists and not part of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius that he himself establishe d. I have some thoug...

New Sister: Likening it to a hearing aid is what I first thought of, too… and recalled seeing these inside the confession als at the St Elizabeth Ann Seaton Shrine, Emmetsburg , MD. https:/...

New Sister: Likening it to a hearing aid is what I first thought of, too… and recalled seeing these inside the confession als at the St Elizabeth Ann Seaton Shrine, Emmitsburg , MD. https:/...

Ultrarunner: Confession , any way you look at it, appears to be a dying sacrament or at least one on serious life support. Making it highly available and accessible by way of secure digital voice...

Blackfriar: I should qualify my earlier remark: when I wrote “ 230; no different to a priest hearing confession using a hearing aid” I was referring to the question of validi...

LaPucelle: March 22, 2018, Thursday, 6-7:30 pm, Rosary Rally against Fr. Martin’s Lenten talk. In front of the Holy Name Cathedral. Fr. Martin promotes the acceptance of the LGBTQ lifestyle in the...

Hans: We will be veiling statues in my parish for the first time in anyoneR 17;s memory, though the veils are still being made.

teomatteo: Age? All I know if I had to carve that by hand-by my self- i’d be really old.

maternalView: Inside and outside the church everything is dumbed down lest we offend someone. This holds true whether it’s a moral principle or simply a preference . It affects all ages too....

Anita Moore, O.P.(lay): I add the Litany of St. Joseph to my Sunday Rosary, for the intention of the Universal Church, whose patron he is. We could really use his help right now.

Fr Martin Fox: When I have had occasion to hear a confession through the glass, I cautioned the penitent about the uncertaint y over his confession being overheard. I understand law enforcemen t...

Paypal Donation

Let us pray…

Grant unto thy Church, we beseech
Thee, O merciful God, that She, being
gathered together by the Holy Ghost, may
be in no wise troubled by attack from her
foes.
O God, who by sin art offended and by
penance pacified, mercifully regard the
prayers of Thy people making supplication
unto Thee,and turn away the scourges of
Thine anger which we deserve for our sins.
Almighty and Everlasting God, in
whose Hand are the power and the
government of every realm: look down upon
and help the Christian people that the heathen
nations who trust in the fierceness of their
own might may be crushed by the power of
thine Arm. Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world
without end. R. Amen.

My "challenge coin" for my 25th anniversary of ordination in 2016.

Want one? I do exchanges with military and LEOs, etc. and you can make a donation.

I travel a good deal. As I get older, it takes more of a toll. My main airline - sigh - is Delta. Were I to get some Gift Cards for Delta, I could more easily upgrade for longer flights. I'm just sayin'. I'd be much obliged. HERE

New miscellaneous releases and events

Yes, Fr. Z is taking ads…

For example...

A great hymnal…

Because it matters what children read…

I carry one of these super-strong rosaries in my spare mag pouch! The Swiss Guards have them too!

The Swiss Guard have these rosaries!For the story clickHERE and HERE (esp. 18:00)

Because you don’t know when you are going to need to move fast or get along without the supermarket…

To set up a recurring, monthly donation via PAYPAL (even a small one) go to the bottom of this blog and look for the drop down menu! Do you want yet another alternative to PayPal? I have set up an account with
CONTINUE TO GIVE
Get a link to donate via CONTINUE TO GIVE using your smart phone.
SEND MESSAGE:
4827563
TO:
715-803-4772
They take a larger percent taste, but they are an alternative.

I remember benefactors in my prayers and periodically say Mass for your intention.

This catechism helped to bring Fr. Z into the Catholic Church!

Be a “Zed-Head”!

Fathers, you don’t know who might show up! It could be a “big fish” of one sort or other…

And... GO TO CONFESSION!

“And how we burned in the camps later, thinking: What would things have been like if every Security operative, when he went out at night to make an arrest, had been uncertain whether he would return alive and had to say good-bye to his family? Or if, during periods of mass arrests, as for example in Leningrad, when they arrested a quarter of the entire city, people had not simply sat there in their lairs, paling with terror at every bang of the downstairs door and at every step on the staircase, but had understood they had nothing left to lose and had boldly set up in the downstairs hall an ambush of half a dozen people with axes, hammers, pokers, or whatever else was at hand?... The Organs would very quickly have suffered a shortage of officers and transport and, notwithstanding all of Stalin's thirst, the cursed machine would have ground to a halt! If...if...We didn't love freedom enough. And even more – we had no awareness of the real situation.... We purely and simply deserved everything that happened afterward.”

What people say about Fr. Z

"Rev. John Zuhlsdorf, a traditionalist blogger who has never shied from picking fights with priests, bishops or cardinals when liturgical abuses are concerned."
- Kractivism

"Father John Zuhlsdorf is a crank" "Father Zuhlsdorf drives me crazy" "the hate-filled Father John Zuhlsford" [sic]"Father John Zuhlsdorf, the right wing priest who has a penchant for referring to NCR as the 'fishwrap'"
- Michael Sean Winters

"Fr Z is a true phenomenon of the information age: a power blogger and a priest."
- Anna Arco

“Given that Rorate Coeli and Shea are mad at Fr. Z, I think it proves Fr. Z knows what he is doing and he is right.”
- Comment

"Let me be clear. Fr. Z is a shock jock, mostly. His readership is vast and touchy. They like to be provoked and react with speed and fury."
- Sam Rocha

"Father Z’s Blog is a bright star on a cloudy night."
- Comment

"A cross between Kung Fu Panda and Wolverine."
- Anonymous

Fr. Z is officially a hybrid of Gandalf and Obi-Wan XD
- Comment

Rev. John Zuhlsdorf, a scrappy blogger popular with the Catholic right.
- America Magazine

RC integralist who prays like an evangelical fundamentalist.
-Austen Ivereigh on Twitter

“For me the saddest thing about Father Z’s blog is how cruel it is.... It’s astonishing to me that a priest could traffic in such cruelty and hatred.”
- Jesuit homosexualist James Martin to BuzzFeed

Fr. Z's is one of the more cheerful blogs out there and he is careful about keeping the crazies out of his commboxes
- Paul in comment at 1 Peter 5

I am a Roman Catholic, in no small part, because of your blog.
I am a TLM-going Catholic, in no small part, because of your blog.
And I am in a state of grace today, in no small part, because of your blog.
- Tom in comment

More stuff…

Archives

ENTRY CALENDAR

Do you use my blog often? Is it helpful to you?

If so, please consider subscribing to send a monthly donation. That way I have steady income I can plan on, and you wind up regularly on my list of benefactors for whom I pray and for whom I periodically say Holy Mass.

Some options

Admin Stuff

The opinions expressed on this blog do not necessarily reflect the positions of any of the Catholic Church's entities with which I am involved. They are my own. Opinions expressed by commentators in the comments belong to the commentators.